RTS Fares Increase

City Commissioners have adjusted the rates in such a way they hope to get more people to ride.

To say, Benjamin Davis of Gainesville rides the RTS bus often would be an understatement.

"I ride it about every day," said Davis.

Davis says he usually just buys a day-pass or a one-way-fare, but that may change in the coming months. Right now, a one way fare will cost you a dollar, and a month pass costs $30, but with the city facing an additional million dollars in bus fuel costs this year, those rates are going up. City staff members had suggested the one way fare be increased to a $1.25, with a month pass going up to $45. But, on Thursday afternoon, city commissioners had a different idea. Commissioners agreed to make a one way fare $1.50, but a month pass will only go up to 35 dollars, which is only a five dollar increase, and not a fifteen. That's great news for Davis.

Davis says that the cheaper month pass still may not be the best option for people who only ride the bus every once in a while.

"35 dollars is a lot of money for somebody to spend a month, when they have to care for their children and pay rent," said Davis.

RTS directors say ridership is up 2.5 percent so far this year, and they expect those numbers to go up even more as gas prices continue to increase.